The Early Childhood Dashboard is designed for local government units (LGUs), schools, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to target programs addressing stunting, gaps in Child Development Centers (CDCs), and struggling readers from Grades 1 to 3.
“These are landmark initiatives that show our commitment to transparency in pushing for education reform,” EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo said.
Three key indicators
Co-developed with AC Analytics, Ayala Corp.’s data science and artificial intelligence team, the dashboard combines datasets from the National Nutrition Council, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Education.
It tracks the number and percentage of stunted children aged zero to two using Operation Timbang Plus 2025 data and identifies barangays without a CDC using the Community-Based Monitoring System.
The platform also maps the number and percentage of struggling readers in Grades 1 to 3 based on DepEd’s Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment results at the end of School Year 2025–2026.
EDCOM 2 said the dashboard currently covers 25,869 barangays and 48,255 schools, as well as 5.13 million children assessed for reading.
Nationwide, 4.3 percent of children aged zero to two are stunted, while 11 percent of barangays have no CDCs. Meanwhile, 10 percent of Grades 1 to 3 learners were classified as struggling readers at the end of SY 2025–2026, according to data presented on the platform.
Pinpointing local gaps
At the school level, users can see the number and percentage of struggling readers, including children classified as low and high emerging readers.
The dashboard also compares local indicators with national averages. Figures automatically turn red when a locality’s rate exceeds the national benchmark, allowing users to quickly spot areas requiring closer attention.
EDCOM 2 said the broader goal is to help ensure children are reading at grade level by Grade 3 while recognizing that nutrition, early childhood care, and literacy are interconnected.
“This platform embodies our belief that we must continue to strengthen transparency, because transparency enables collective action,” EDCOM 2 executive director Dr. Karol Mark Yee said.
Data for local action
Ayala Corp. managing director and group head for data science and artificial intelligence Karl Kendrick Chua said the partnership demonstrates how data and technology can support evidence-based solutions and strengthen human capital.
EDCOM 2 external engagements lead Jude Liao said the dashboard gives LGUs, government agencies, civil society, religious organizations, businesses, schools, and universities “a common starting point for coordinated action.”
The Early Childhood Dashboard is publicly accessible through EDCOM 2’s website, allowing communities and partner institutions to identify priority areas and direct interventions toward Filipino children needing additional developmental support. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
